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It’s been a challenging week for Hubby and me. Zeke (the Basset) has challenged us to our limits and has became all-consuming, keeping us chained to the house. Fortunately, with the help of an excellent trainer, (Grateful K9 for you locals), we were able to understand his behaviors and cope much better. But it was a rough week! We’ve had a Basset before, but Zeke’s robust personality pushed all Basset-y behaviors to the tail-end of the scale (pun intended!). We’re on an even keel now, but for a couple of weeks there he dominated every day. I was upset and…
Computer troubles today-hope to get something by tomorrow.
I’m lucky to live in an area rich in vibrant quilt guilds. I always look forward to the Pioneer Quilt Guild show each year and this one was a treat. Zeke was in a barking stage so I blasted through the show and surely missed some prime quilts. Prismatic Star, Frances Claassens. Frances took a class with Cindy Meyers and this was her very first paper piecing project! Crashing Waves, Debra Carlisle. Debra started with a Moda kit-love the way the colors move. Along Beaver Creek, Denise Long. Denise wrote that this reminded her of Montana summers. Lots of fussy…
Good show River City! In random order: Best of Show was “My Secret Garden” by Deborah Ciarla, quilted by Nancy Calhoun. This was entirely hand pieced using the English Paper Piecing method, except the border which was foundation pieced. Wowsa! “Oasis Improv” by Marie Nelson. Using discards from a friend and some fabric from her own stash, Marie pieced this together and added some fabulous quilting. “Solid Birches” by Tracey List, based on Amanda Jean Nyberg’s pattern. Bright and colorful! “Mesa Verde” by Denise Schmidt. Improv piecing and an Anasazi figure printed on silk organza, perfectly edited and beautiful. “Traditional…
I’m vacationing in Tucson for a few days with my friend Jan. I’ll be back next week to tell you all about it!
I mentioned last week how limited my time was to take photos of the quilts. So here is my final “unorganized, disjointed and wholly incomplete take on the quilts”: It was wonderful to see the work of Yoko Saito in person, even though I only saw a few of her quilts. The workmanship and design of her quilts is impecable. This quilt was made in response to Yoko’s fascination with the huge variety of American baskets. Look at the detail in the border! Oh lucky me! I love Paula’s work and was thrilled to see it in person. See the…
Danny Amazonos had a special exhibit. This will give you an idea of his scale! The breathtaking scale and color that Danny used blew me away. He was very sharing and personable, seemingly without any ego about his astounding work. ———————————————— Okay, a bit of explanation. I had one afternoon off when the show was open, sandwiched between a morning and night class, with lunch, prep for the evening class and a Meet the Teacher thrown into that same afternoon for good measure. The reality was, I ran around like crazy, sticking my phone in front of anything of interest. It…
I hope that some time you will have a chance to attend the Houston show, the US’s largest quilt show. It is an amazing experience, unlike any other show. Some interesting stats: 1,100 vendor booths 500+ classes/events 40+ Special exhibits 1500+ quilts/fiber art pieces 142 instructors from around the world 4 days of show 7 days of classes Imagine all of your quilty friends from across the country/world, being at one show. Once you’re in there are all kinds of free demos and events. And if you thought the floods were going to impact the Show, you were wrong! Couple…
I thought I would have time to post the rest of my PIQF photos but that was not to be. I also thought I would have time to make a donation quilt for the Festival fundraiser-that was also not to be. But I am ready to teach, mingle, learn and be dazzled by the quilts of Houston. And maybe spend a little money at the vendors! Only 2 29″ 50 lb bags, a heavy carry-on and a 15 lb tech bag. Let’s pray they do NOT weigh my carry-on! Yippeee-here I go!
I just made that up-“Sanity Sewing” is what you do just before you go crazy and after you have worked hard on your book and prepping for Houston for months! Don’t get me wrong, this is all good stuff and every single teacher at Houston is in the same boat. I just HAD to do something for fun so I took one measly afternoon off and made scarves. I made scarves because I have a Short Girl Problem. I’m not that short, 5’4″, but many things are just a wee bit too long such as necklaces and scarves. Case in…